Leaks, even when they are small, can have a significant impact on the performance of a part or component or cause equipment to fail. Cracks and faulty seals are often the cause of these leaks, but they can often be detected by conducting vacuum testing on components prior to manufacturing.
Leak testing under vacuum is the primary leak testing method used to test sealed parts that may have leaks in their housings and containers from external sources. You can also do the low head space & vacuum sealed packages seal integrity test with the help of professionals.
The main candidates for vacuum leak detection methods include:
• Sensor or underwater housing
• Outdoor electrical enclosure
• Sealed components
Is there a difference between a vacuum leak test and a pressure hammer test?
In the vacuum leak test method, the part or vessel (test object) to be tested is connected to a pressure/vacuum line and placed in the test chamber.
The chamber is closed and sealed, all supply valves are closed, and the test sample and chamber are simultaneously evacuated by vacuum to a predetermined pressure level.
Once the pressure is stabilized, any changes in the pressure on the test object are compared with the change in pressure in the reference volume of the chamber. If the test sample actually leaks, the pressure difference between the two will increase. This data is measured and recorded.
Vacuum leak detection works in a similar way but is essentially the opposite of pressure decay testing. For example, during a pressure decay test, the test chamber is pressurized and the test chamber is monitored for pressure decay indicating leakage from the chamber into the part.
However, when the vacuum breaks, the test section is pressurized and the test chamber is monitored for pressure increases indicating leakage from the section into the chamber.